Beadalon - Virgo Earrings

• Virgo Earrings •

• Materials •

Techniques: 18g wire, connections, "CZ Gem Dropz"

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

I actually designed these earrings to accompany my "Virgo Necklace", however by changing the colors and shapes of the "CZ Gem Dropz", this becomes a very versatile pattern. They are light weight and with lots of "individual-motion" components, they are so very sparkly!

Materials: Wire: 18-gauge Fancy Square Silver-Plated = 9 inches, 21-gauge square Silver-Plated German = 5-1/2 inches, 20-gauge half-round NT Brass = 6 inches CZ. Gem Dropz & coordinating jump rings: your choice!

(Sample uses: 2-7mm Champagne square 1-hole, 4-5mm Champagne square 2-hole, 2-5mm square White 2-hole, and 4-4mm square White 2-hole)

•2-Light Twist 10mm solid jump ring
•1- pair of ear wires

Tools: Flat, chain and round nose pliers, wire cutters, ruler, marking pen, large jump ring mandrel.

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• Instructions •

1. Straighten, measure and cut 2 pieces of the 18g fancy wire, each 4-1/2 inches long and 2 pieces of the 21g square wire each 2-3/4 inches long. Place the center of each fancy 18g wire on the largest step of the large jump ring mandrel and bend the wire around the mandrel to make a nice U where the ends are equal in length. Repeat the procedure with each 21g square wire on the second largest step on the large jump ring mandrel.
2. Place the smaller 21g U inside the larger 18g fancy U so their ends are flush and tape at the very ends. From each end measure down 1/2-inch and mark. Straighten, measure and cut one 6-inch piece of 20g half-round NT Brass wire. Use the brass wire to individually wrap from each mark up, toward each end, 5 times to show. Trim the wire ends.
3. Carefully bend each end toward the other, forming gentle teardrop shapes.
4. Place round nose pliers on each double wire end and roll the wires toward the back, forming connection loops.
5. Insert one10mm light twist, solid jump ring into each pair of connections loops. Use chain nose pliers to firmly close each loop to lock the jump ring in so it still swings freely.
6. Using 2 pair of chain nose pliers, use the 3.5 and 4mm jump rings to connect a string of 2-4mm square 2-hole white and 1-5mm square champagne 1-hole CZ Gem Drops. Attach this component to the 10mm jump ring, positioning it between the connection loops. Make another string of CZ Gem Dropz with 1-7mm square champagne 1-hole, 1-5mm square champagne 2-hole and 1-5mm square white 2-hole. Attach this component to the bottom of the 21g square wire loop, so it hangs freely inside the fancy square loop. Now, add your favorite ear wires.